P. metallica about to lay a sac, but possible problem!

[robc]

My P.metallica looks to be about ready to lay a sac and I did notice, in the bottom of her hide, a very small amount of mites. I am debating if I should rehouse her - which I really don't want to do so close to her potentially laying a sac or just leaving her alone and hoping for the best. The mites don't appear to be on top of the webbing she's already laid down, and she'll lay down a lot more. Still, I'd like some opinions on what you would do - 20 minds are much better than one!! Thanks!

Please state the reasoning behind your answer!

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[Jmugleston]

I'd move her to a new enclosure. If she hasn't already dropped the eggsac you'll hopefully be fine. I wouldn't want to risk her laying with the mites nearby. Good luck to you.

 

[syndicate]

Rob,
If she's sealed herself up and you think a sack is on the way don't mess with her...

 

[robc]

I'd move her to a new enclosure. If she hasn't already dropped the eggsac you'll hopefully be fine. I wouldn't want to risk her laying with the mites nearby. Good luck to you.

Thanks!! that is my istinct, but i don't want her to hold onto the eggs and molt out...I HATE mites!!!! Have never really had them and my first real problem with thm is with a P. metallica :evil:

 

[robc]

Rob,
If she's sealed herself up and you think a sack is on the way don't mess with her...

She has started webbing the mouth of the burrow, entrance ECT...not totally webbed up....but enough to make me hesitate to move her...kinda like a rock & a hard place!!

 

[Xian]

She has started webbing the mouth of the burrow, entrance ECT...not totally webbed up....but enough to make me hesitate to move her...kinda like a rock & a hard place!!

I think I'd move her, but you are right about a rock and a hard place!

 

[robc]

I think I'd move her, but you are right about a rock and a hard place!

It sucks!!! REALY sucks.....I did notice the very few mites that there are, are being killed by the webbing....what a decision this is!!

 

[metallica]

get some predatory mites and she will be ok. clean safe and simple.
just google for a place to buy them.

cheers

Eddy

 

[robc]

get some predatory mites and she will be ok. clean safe and simple.
just google for a place to buy them.

cheers

Eddy

The mites I am seeing are moving around very fast, aren't these a type of predatory mite?? So a predatory mite will not harm a sac....not the best with mites LOL

Thank you for the reply!

 

[Xian]

It sucks!!! REALY sucks.....I did notice the very few mites that there are, are being killed by the webbing....what a decision this is!!

If that's true maybe you would be better off leaving her in there then....Man this is a super-tough one!

 

[Smitty78]

I would leave her alone, remove the water source for a while, add some isopods, and let the tank dry out. Drying out will kill the adult mites, and the isopods will eradicate the mite eggs but I am sure you knew this already.

 

[robc]

I would leave her alone, remove the water source for a while, add some isopods, and let the tank dry out. Drying out will kill the adult mites, and the isopods will eradicate the mite eggs but I am sure you knew this already.

There are actually isopods were the mites are...I don't think I have time to let the tank dry out...this sucks!!

 

[Smitty78]

There are actually isopods were the mites are...I don't think I have time to let the tank dry out...this sucks!!

I had an issue with mites in two of my enclosures a few months ago, so I ran an experiment which appeared to work really well, and cause zero ill effects. Back in my tropical fish days, tetracycline worked very well on parasites. What I did was mix in two capsules in a standard sized spray bottle and lightly misted the substrate of my P. irminia, and one of my P. formosa enclosures. I did this twice in a weeks time, and to this day I have yet to see another mite. I have even left bolus's in there for a few days to see if I would find any mites, and have not. Tetracycline dehydrates parasites. Of course you do not want to directly spray your T, but like I said I did it with two adults and zero ill effects. You might want to try it. You can get tetracycline capsules at any pet store.

 

[robc]

I had an issue with mites in two of my enclosures a few months ago, so I ran an experiment which appeared to work really well, and cause zero ill effects. Back in my tropical fish days, tetracycline worked very well on parasites. What I did was mix in two capsules in a standard sized spray bottle and lightly misted the substrate of my P. irminia, and one of my P. formosa enclosures. I did this twice in a weeks time, and to this day I have yet to see another mite. I have even left bolus's in there for a few days to see if I would find any mites, and have not. Tetracycline dehydrates parasites. Of course you do not want to directly spray your T, but like I said I did it with two adults and zero ill effects. You might want to try it. You can get tetracycline capsules at any pet store.

That is some very intersting/awesome information and a very good thought/idea!!

 

[Jmugleston]

If you purchase predatory mites (most likely Hypoapsis miles) they will kill the scavenging mites you are seeing now. My concern would be what they may do to the developing eggs. The predatory mites kill eggs, nymphs, and adults of their prey. What is to stop them from munching on the eggs? I'd be weary unless I knew a definite answer to that. As for drying her out, you risk the eggs drying out as well. This is a bit of a risky endeavor. IF she has just started to web the entrance and edges to the burrow I don't think a quick disturbance will upset her too much. If she's already laid the major portion of the silk for her hide, then it may be a bit of an issue. I'm still under the idea that quickly moving her, cleaning the cage, and replacing it all ASAP will be the safest bet. Leave the mites in there and in a few weeks you may have a depressing thread to write with pics of mites and dead eggs. Too dry and you might post pics that are equally depressing.

 

[Fran]

Rob.I would def let her be. You said yourself they arent too many. Let her be, let her drop a sac and then if you are scared of a huge infestation just pull the sac and try incubating it yourself.

If all that webbing is the beggining of a sac, messing with her will give you a really high chance of no sac at all.

This way at least you will get your sac,taking her out of that enclosure will most likely ruin it.

PS: If she didnt lay too much, and you dont think half way laying is done, then the only kinda safe way to do this would be making a tank first, get everything
ready to go, then transfer her.

 

[robc]

Rob.I would def let her be. You said yourself they arent too many. Let her be, let her drop a sac and then if you are scared of a huge infestation just pull the sac and try incubating it yourself.

If all that webbing is the beggining of a sac, messing with her will give you a really high chance of no sac at all.

This way at least you will get your sac,taking her out of that enclosure will most likely ruin it.

PS: If she didnt lay too much, and you dont think half way laying is done, then the only kinda safe way to do this would be making a tank first, get everything
ready to go, then transfer her.

I am leaning toward this.....P. metallicas are very nervous and can get stressed easily...but jmugleston has good points to.....so do you....this just sucks LOL

 

[Fran]

I think you should just take a look at what she has webbed, then think if that, hatever is there, is the beggining of the process or if she could start laying eggs any time.

1=If its only the beggining and you want to make another tank ready to just trasfer her, that could work.

2=If the process is halfway done and she could begin laying within hours, most definitely let her be. Make sure you get your sac done, then watch closely if mites increase. If so, pull the sac and rotate/incubate it yourself.

I think this way has the highest chances of succes.

 

[robc]

I think you should just take a look at what she has webbed, then think if that, hatever is there, is the beggining of the process or if she could start laying eggs any time.

1=If its only the beggining and you want to make another tank ready to just trasfer her, that could work.

2=If the process is halfway done and she could begin laying within hours, most definitely let her be. Make sure you get your sac done, then watch closely if mites increase. If so, pull the sac and rotate/incubate it yourself.

I think this way has the highest chances of succes.

Sjhe has been taking her time....it is mid point basically...webbed the entire hid, not thick yet, webbed the entrance lightly, so it could be 1/2 way....

 

[jayefbe]

2=If the process is halfway done and she could begin laying within hours, most definitely let her be. Make sure you get your sac done, then watch closely if mites increase. If so, pull the sac and rotate/incubate it yourself.

I have no experience with this, but this is what I was thinking as well. Let her lay a sac, and just pull it at the first sign of trouble. There's always the chance the eggs won't handle the incubation, but I know people have had success pulling a sac as soon as the day after it was laid.